Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-04-04

! beings are no longer offered up is GLAD.
iatols in the arena, to crafty the public
thirst for blood In this rise from barbarisn
to higher plane of civilization we see cause
to rejoice yet sad to say here in the New
World we find a race who yet glory ia the
CORY scenes of the arena ruce where civil
men and the calioused hearts Of women are
made to yearn and rejoice at the sight O.
blood.
Thus it is their thirst for blood
And CORY scenes OF death,
All dressed in fresh bright gore,
Is as strong as it was in the souls
OF those in the days of vore.
Here too their thirst for blood is fed,
Until their hearts black fount is full;
When not supplied by that of men
They use tho blood OF horse and bull.
Since we began our travels in Mexico we
have attended number Of these barbarous
entertainments, and will here give descrip-
ton of one recently Geen in the little town
of Tlaluepantla Just outside the city OF
Mexico. 1t was on Sunday afternoon, and
had been advertised by street parade on
the evening previous. This consisted of q
band, few toreros lbull fghters) mounted
on gay and active horses With silver mount.
ed saddles and such other display as is US
ualiy connected with this relic ofbarbarisn.
One man rode in advance and hefaded
the announcement while another bore aloft
g banner representing a savage bull goring q
horse, while the rider was driving his spear
into the beast with all force. Thus the
"Grande Corrida de Taros" bull fight was
well advertised.
On Sunday long before the hour set for
the fight the Plazade Taros was filed with
an anxious motley multitude. The arena
consisted OF q circular enclosure with an en-
trance and an exit gate, also few strong
projections on the inside behind which the
fighters escaped when closely pursued. Out
side the arena there was second enclosure
and beyond which there were tiers OF seats
each behind and above the other. These
were divided into two classes. Those in
the shade were occupied by the military and
civil officers, the clergy, professional men,
merchants and ladies' Of rank. Those in
the sun were occupied by the soldiers, their
wives, The sandaled and bare-headed peones,
fruit pedders and pumpkin candy fends.
The bull fighters appeared in the arena.
Some were on horse back. with very ex-
tensive display OF trappiugs and trimmings
about the saddle and bride. They wore
buckskil suits ornamented with rolls and
tiusel down the side, on the breast and
around the cuffs and shoulders. They also
wore wide and richly embroidered sombre-
ros. 9 pair OF large spurs and carried long
spear Next followed the Banderilleros and
the chief torero5. These were on foot and
wore knee breeches, light shoes, white stock
ings, green and red jackets richly ornament
ed with heavy silver and gold embroidery,
and skull caps with Q large ruffied tinsel
border around the crown. When all was rea-
dy these young gladiators passed in front of
the seats of honor and bowed to the madri-
mas young lady godmothers of the fight,
then turned away to engage ia battle with
one of the most desperate animals that all
the plains Of Mexico could furnish.
The gate is now opened and wild and
fierce looking animal, with long, sharp
horns and head and tail almost erect enters
with s bound. The scene which then fol-
lows is more easily imagined than described.
The men shout, the ladies clap their hands
for Joy and the band plays merry music,
while the enraged beast, with head lowered
and eyeballs fercely set, is dashing at the
nearest horse or man in sight. If man Is
tie object of attack he usually escapes by q
quick side movement behind his red blan-
ket, or else beats n retreat behind the pro-
tections; but if it is 9 bocse there is no
chance Of escape or mercy extended by man
Or beast. The horse being bindfolded ana
urged forward by large spurs, more often runs
into than out of danger. The scene in the
latter case is pitiful, cruel and barbarous in
the extreme The faithful and unsuspect-
ing horse bounds blindly on, only to add to
the force with which ne is received on the
wide spreading horns Of The enraged beast,
sit which time we hear . loud snuff and
subdued below from the bull and g chok-
ing, sickeniDg groan from the horse. Often
ne utters long, piercing neigh Of distress,
which is enough to curdle the very blood of
any humane observer. Yet this is all re-
ceived by most of the multitude with very
high degree Of fiendish delight. La the ex
element the multitude rises to their feet,
while the slums from the semi-civillzed soci-
ETY. cesspools cry, "Bueno, bueno, viva
ponciana,;' as manifestation of their saw
age glee. All the while the band plays
merry music. The assembled madrinss,
maids and matrons, fiTt their fans, wave
their handkerchiefs, and by their smiles
urge the fighters On to further acts Of cruel
ty. The first attack was now over; the
spear wounds in the bull were sending forth
streams Of blood one horse lay dying Oh
the ground another was hobbling away
with its entrails dragging on the ground ten
feet in the rear, but, unfortunately not one
man was hurt After this there was q short
rest. during which time the dying animals
were dispatched with thrust from the
sword and then hauled out to make ready
for the next fight. Soon fresh animals were
brought in. The banderileros, or teasers,
came out with their banderilIas. These are
hor a nd